When the Los Angeles Dodgers set their pitching staff for the Opening Day roster, it featured Tony Gonsolin among the three starting pitchers who were placed in the bullpen. But unlike Jimmy Nelson or David Price, Gonsolin has yet to appear in a game this season.
The Dodgers placed Gonsolin on the 10-day injured list April 4 (retroactive to April 1) due to right shoulder inflammation. Manager Dave Roberts said Gonsolin was experiencing lingering shoulder soreness but was scheduled to throw a bullpen session before Sunday’s game.
However, Roberts then clarified he misspoke and the right-hander in actuality is not near any sort of return. “Today was Dustin May and Bauer here shortly,” Roberts said ahead of the series finale against the Washington Nationals.
“Tony, right now, I don’t know where he’s at. I think in a couple days he’ll start playing catch again to see where he’s at. He’s a ways away for me with where he’s at.”
Gonsolin went 2-2 with a 2.31 REA in nine games (eight starts) for the Dodgers last season. Even with the current shoulder trouble, he figures to factor prominently in the team’s pitching plans for the season.
Roberts had previously indicated Gonsolin, along with potentially Price and Nelson, would make starts at some point this year.
Graterol nearing return from IL
Before losing Gonsolin a few days into the regular season, the Dodgers placed Brusdar Graterol on the 10-day IL at the time of setting their Opening Day roster. It reportedly was due to a previous bout he had with coronavirus (COVID-19).
Graterol reunited with the team this weekend for the World Series ring ceremony, and he faced Matt Beaty and Luke Raley in a simulated inning of work on Saturday.
“He looked really good,” Roberts said. “I think for us, it’s getting him to check the two-out-of-three box. Once he does that, he’ll be back with us.”
Graterol is expected to complete the exercise of pitching twice in three days at Camelback Ranch, the Dodgers’ alternate training site. Should all go well, it’s plausible Graterol will be activated off the IL during the upcoming series with the San Diego Padres.
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